Laminated tube sections



Sept. 23, 1969 R,V.E VANS e-rA 3, 6

LAMINATED TUBE SECTIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 9. 1967 INVENTORS: Raymond V. Evcms and John E. Hibbiw BY g 3 M ATTORNEY Sept, 23, 1969 Filed Feb. 9, 1967 R. v. EVANS ETAL LAMINATED TUBE SECTIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS: Raymond V. Evem,

and John E. Hibii BY W A TTORNE Y United States Patent U.S. Cl. 68175 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to apparatus for the treatment of yarn. The apparatus disclosed herein provides for individual yarn passages for each yarn end passing therethrough such that treatment may be applied individually to each yarn end without aflecting the treatment of an adjacent yarn end as it passes through an adjacent treatment passage. Closure means may be provided such that each treatment passage may be closed except for ingress and egress openings for the yarn to be treated therein.

This invention relates to apparatus for treating yarn and has particular, though not exclusive, reference to the simultaneous treatment of a plurality of moving yarns arranged in adjacent side-by-side disposition.

In the treatment of individual yarns of a plurality thereof, for example, in the fixing of a dyestufl applied to the yarn at spaced intervals therealong difficulty is experienced in avoiding smudging the dyestulf by contact with other yarns or in preventing the contamination of one yarn with dyestuff applied to another yarn. Additionally, in handling a large number of individual yarns arranged in side-by-side disposition in sheet form for treatment purposes, the difficulty frequently arises of yarns, particularly yarns which are under little or no tension, becoming snagged or entangled with others.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide means for avoiding or for mitigating the aforesaid disadvantages.

A method of treating yarn which can be carried out with the apparatus of the invention comprises separating a plurality thereof and passing the individual yarns through separate side-by-side treatment chambers thereat to be subjected to a treatment medium.

Further, according to the invention, apparatus for treating yarn comprises means defining a number of side-byside treatment chambers, each chamber being adapted to locate a length of yarn and allow same to be pulled therethrough.

Preferably, said means comprises a plurality of side-byside parallel plates and spacers separating adjacent plates.

Usually, the plates are secured together by bolts passing through said plates and spacers.

Apparatus for treating yarn and according to the present invention may be used for dyeing, for dye-fixation, for washing, scouring or drying the yarn, and for other such treatments.

In one example the means defining a number of sideby-side treating chambers comprises a plurality of side-byside vertical plates; the plates are much longer than they are broad and are positioned with their longitudinal axes horizontal. Adjacent plates are separated by spacers in the form of short, vertical straps spaced longitudinally from each other and which serve a plate separating function. The plates are bolted together and the bolts pass through the straps. In this example, the apparatus is used in conjunction with a heater and as the lengths of yarn pass through the apparatus, in a similar manner to hair 3,468,140 Patented Sept. 23, 1969 ice through a comb, hot air can pass between plates to dry the yarn. The strands of yarn are thus separated by the plates and dry more effectively, the yarn may or may not be under tension during the drying process.

In an alternative arrangement intended for application in the washing of yarns the short straps are replaced by a single strap which extends for the length of the plates and each strap, together with the adjacent plates, forms a treatment chamber. Each strap is inclined slightly so that washing liquid passed into the chamber flows towards one end thereof. Washing liquid is supplied to the chambers from a feed box having openings into the chambers above the straps and at the high side thereof. This washing liquid is passed to the chambers whilst the lengths of yarn are pulled through the apparatus.

In yet another example adjacent plates are separated by two elongated straps of approximately half the length of the plates and each strap is inclined downwards from one end to near the middle of the plate. A space between the opposite ends of the straps provides a drain for treating medium in each chamber.

In each case the straps may support the length of yarn as it is pulled through its treating chamber but normally the yarn will float in the liquid and be clear of the straps, or will be under tension and thus clear of the straps.

Although the various side-by-side treatment chambers usually contain the same treatment medium, it will be understood that the medium may ditfer from chamber to chamber.

Moreover, the chambers may be pressurised by providing the apparatus with a spring-loaded sealing lid having end plates thereby leaving only small apertures to allow the fluid to be exhausted from the chambers. If liquid is introduced into the chambers faster than it can escape, the level and pressure of liquid within the chambers will rise and the excess will flow outwardly from the apertures. The length of yarn to be treated are, in this arrangement, threaded into the individual compartments before the lid is placed in position.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment thereof and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a wash tank which embodies the present invention; and

FIGS. 2 and 3 are end and side elevations respectively of the tank shown in FIG.1.

Referring now to the drawings, a wash tank comprising a generally rectangular tank 11 having a hinged lid 12 thereto supports a yarn separating apparatus 13 therewithin, the said apparatus 13 defining a plurality of sideby-side treatment chambers 14 extending longitudinally of the tank.

The tank 11 which is of a length determined by the nature of the treatment being applied and the rate of passage of yarn, is fabricated from sheet metal and is mounted on a support framework 15. The upper edge of the tank is flanged inwardly to form a rim 11a, such rim being faced with a synthetic foam sealing material 16. The upper edge of each end face 11b is formed with a cutout 17, such cutout 17, together with a lip 18 secured to the underside of the lid 12 in a position in register with the said cutout, defining an horizontal slit 19 (FIG. 3) through which the yarns 20 enter or leave the tank. A cover plate 21 is also secured to the underside of the lid, the said plate having downwardly direct flanges 21a at each end thereof and being provided for a purpose hereafter to be made apparent.

The yarn supporting apparatus 13 consists of a plurality of plate members 22 arranged in vertical disposition, adjacent members being separated by straps 23 located there between, and the plate members 22 and straps 23 being secured together by bolts 24 passing through aligned holes in the various elements and through corresponding holes in angle section pieces 25 positioned at the lower, longitudinal edges of the outer most plates. The apparatus is mounted within the body part on transverse tie bars 26 such tie bars being fastened to brackets 27 secured to the inner walls of the tank by bolts 28 and the apparatus being maintained in position on the bars 26 by bolts 29 passing through the angle section pieces 25 and the said bars 26.

The separator straps 23 have an upper surface thereto which is downwardly inclined in the direction opposite to the direction of yarn feed, the said straps thus combining with the plate members to define adjacent elongate chambers of which the floor rises towards the yarn exit end thereof. The top of each of the chambers is constituted by the cover plate 21 such plate, when the lid 12 is closed lying adjacent the upper edges of the plate members and the flanges 210 being positioned against the ends thereof.

A treatment liquor feed box 30 is provided adjacent the exit end of the tank, such box being located against the yarn supporting apparatus 13 and feeding treatment liquor to the chambers. Having regard to the inclined character of the floor of each chamber 14, the treatment liquor will move past the yarns 20 in counter current flow, the liquor after leaving the support apparatus 13 at the inlet end of the machine, passing to the bottom of the tank. f

We have found in practice that the wash tank before described does allow of the satisfactory Wash treatment of a plurality of carpet yarns in their passage from a dye application means towards a tufting machine, and that there is no incidence of yarn snagging or entangelment.

If a similar structure is used as a means of subjecting yarns to which a dyestufi has been applied at spaced intervals therealong or otherwise to a liquid fixation treatment, then contamination or smudging of the yarns is avoided.

Many modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims; for example the chambers could be cooled for condensing vapours.

It is to be observed that, although in the specific embodiment hereinbefore described in detail we have indicated that the treatment medium is fed into the compartments from a feed box, the invention is not limited to the particular features in that the yarn separating means may be Wholly or partly immersed in a bath of a treatment medium.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for the treatment of yarn comprising a tank, a plurality of side-by-side plates disposed within said tank, a plurality of spacer elements each being dis- 4 posed between adjacent plates and cooperating therewith to form a plurality of spaced parallel yarn treatment passages, closure means for closing said yarn treatment passages except for ingress and egress openings for yarn to be treated therein such that a treatment medium may be supplied to each said yarn treatment passage for treating the associated yarn without effecting the treatment medium and the yarn in an adjacent yarn treatment passage.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said spacer elements extend over substantially the entire longitudinal extent of said plates thereby defining a floor for said yarn treatment passages, and said spacer elements each being inclined downwardly from one end thereof for initiating a flow to the treatment medium in the associated yarn treatment passage.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including means for feeding a treatment medium directly to said yarn treatment passages at one end thereof.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said C103? ure means is displaceable.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said yarn treatment passages are provided with displaceable end closure members having means for permitting ingress and egress of yarn to said yarn treatment passages.

6. Apparatus for the treatment of yarn comprising a tank, a substantially closed treatment area within said tank including a plurality of spaced parallel plates, a plurality of spacer elements with each said spacer element being disposed between adjacent plates and adjacent the lower edge thereof to define a plurality of parallel yarn treatment passages, means for fastening said plates and spacer elements together, displaceable closure means for the top and ends of said yarn treatment passages including means for permitting the entry and exit of yarn, and means for supplying a treatment medium directly to said yarn treatment passages whereby yarn ends may be individually treated within their associated yarn treatment passage without effecting the passage or treatment of adjacent yarn ends passing through said yarn treatment passages.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,178,743 11/1939 Dreyfus et a1 8-l51.2 X 2,228,272 1/1941 Kinsella 68-175 X 2,251,931 8/1941 Gundelfinger 815l.2 2,292,629 8/1942 Furness 68-175 X WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 68-181 

